Groomed
A one-act play written & performed by Patrick Sandford
Date: Saturday, November 2nd, 2024 at 7pm
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Arts at The Palace, 19 Utica St., Hamilton, NY 13346
GROOMED began as a piece of personal therapeutic writing, was seen informally by the General Synod of the Church of England, was performed at the UK Home Office (equivalent of the US State Dept.) in May 2023, and six times (live and film) by the UK government's Independent Inquiry into Childhood Sexual Abuse .
In November 2023 Patrick performed the play live at the Vatican, invited by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, where the performance was well received. Officials described it as 'astounding' and 'transformational'. The Director, Emer McCarthy said she chose GROOMED because it is not theoretical or juridical; it is the lived human experience of a survivor.
The stage play won three Outstanding Theatre awards at the Brighton Festival Fringe. A month at the Soho Theatre, London, followed; Patrick was a finalist as Best Male Performer in the London OFF WEST END AWARDS. At the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023 GROOMED was listed in the top 11 productions. Many survivors, men, women, trans, have seen GROOMED, as well as trainee social workers, Police, and mental health professionals.
Astounding and transformational - VATICAN OFFICIAL
Astonishing text and delivery make this a chilling but unmissable study GUARDIAN**** (film)
Sheds much needed light on some dark places GUARDIAN **** (play)
A remarkable and brave piece of theatre FINANCIAL TIMES****
The urging of the need for empathy rather than dismissal, and for simple acknowledgement, hits home hard DAILY TELEGRAPH ****
Should be seen by anyone with a pulse and the memory of the vulnerability of childhood. ROGER GRAEF (BAFTA)
Extraordinary insight into the mind of both victim and abuser. DAME JOAN BAKEWELL
One of the most moving pieces I have seen. I left the theatre educated and entertained, a rare combination. SANDI TOKSVIG
Ferocious in its glorious truth. Much healing can occur because of this artistic generosity. JANETTE FORCE CEO PT Film Festival USA
As if a tiger had suddenly sprung out into the garden. MICHAEL FRAYN
You told your story; you told my story. You hit it way outta the park! Survivor USA
Patrick Sandford is an Award Winning Theatre Director, having been Artistic Director of three British Regional Theatres. His work has been seen extensively across the UK including regularly in London, and internationally. He is a survivor of sexual abuse, aged 9 and 10, at the hands of his State Primary School teacher in Kent, England.
Patrick says:
"I wrote GROOMED for one reason only - to tell the truth, so that it might lose some of its power over my life. I had no idea it would become an award winning stage performance, and later a film, watched by many survivors. I am particularly delighted that GROOMED seems to speak to many who have no direct experience of sexual abuse; we all have wounds from which we need to recover."
Patrick holds a First Class Hons degree from St John's College Oxford, in French; also an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Winchester, and a Honorary Fellowship at the University of Southampton both for services to the theatre.
The film GROOMED - Screenplay by Patrick Sandford and Nancy Meckler from the original play GROOMED written by Patrick Sandford.
Performed by Patrick Sandford.